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5AT
 
5at Train

The 5AT Group - Steaming Ahead with Advanced Technology

Enhancing Performance -- Improving Reliability -- Reducing Costs -- Controlling Emissions

 
 

 

 



"No other product of man's mind has ever exercised such a compelling hold upon the public's imagination as the steam locomotive. No other machine in its day has been a more faithful friend to mankind, nor has contributed more to the growth of industry in this, the land of its birth and indeed throughout the whole world. Those who have lived in the steam age of railways will carry the most nostalgic memories right to the end.."
The words of R F Hanks, Chairman of the Western Area Board of British Railways at a ceremony in Swindon Works on 18th March 1960, marking the end of steam locomotive construction in the UK with the completion and naming of 9F 2-10-0 No 92220 "Evening Star".


The 5AT Project

Mr Hanks' words (above) are as true today as they were in 1960, though the nostalgia and passion that the steam locomotive generates has extended far wider, and for far longer, than he could have imagined. Most preserved steam operated railways in the UK continue to attract record numbers of visitors each year, and 2009 witnessed widespread public interest and enthusiasm when "Tornado", the first main line steam locomotive to be built in the UK since "Evening Star", made its public debut on the nation's railways.

The 5AT Project aimed to go one important and potentially vital step further, namely to build the first new steam locomotive incorporating all the proven technical advances that have been developed since 1960 in order to generate the power, speed, range and reliability that will be needed to maintain an ongoing presence for steam traction on the main line rail network of the future.

With the completion of the Fundamental Design Calculations and a detailed Feasibility Study, the project has advanced to the stage where further progress can only be made through the commitment of the large amounts of money needed to design and build a prototype locomotive.   However the recent and ongoing financial crisis has destroyed any likelihood of obtaining such commitments and as a consequence it has been regretfully decided to suspend further work on the 5AT project (see project suspension announcement.)

 

The 5AT Group

The 10 years spent by the 5AT Group in the planning and promotion of the 5AT Project have not been in vain.  Indeed, the group is continuing in the pursuit of its goal of maintaining a future presence for steam traction on main and heritage rail lines, through the application of technical improvements that will increase locomotive performance and reliability, reduce both carbon and spark emissions, and minimize operating and maintenance costs.

Information about the 5AT Group and its aims can be found under the 5AT Group heading of this website.  Anyone interested in joining the Group and helping in its endeavours, should write to the webmaster@5at.co.uk.  See also the recruitment page of this website.

 

The 5AT Locomotive

[project currently suspended]

The 5AT is a totally new steam locomotive design, incorporating the latest proven steam locomotive technology, aimed to deliver an unprecedented level of reliability and performance for the operation of charter and tour trains on modern railway systems.  Its very high speed capability is expected to facilitate the procurement of paths on the increasingly congested high-speed railways of the future.  Similarly its use of 'gas oil' (diesel) fuel will allow it to fit more seamlessly into the modern railway system than any coal-fuelled machine.

With an 80% increase in thermal efficiency over "classic" steam, and almost 3500 horsepower available at the cylinders, the 5AT's performance would amply demonstrate the untapped potential that steam traction is capable of delivering in the 21st Century.

Features of the 5AT include:

  • Maximum continuous operating speed of 180 km/h (113 mph) to keep up with modern rail traffic; and a maximum design speed of 200 km/h (125 mph);
  • High power to weight ratio: 1890 kW (2535 hp) at the draw bar at 113 km/h (70 mph) from an 80 tonne locomotive;
  • Optimised adhesion to control slipping;
  • High thermal efficiency (for steam traction) of approximately 14%;
  • Wide route availability - 20 tonne axle load;
  • Simplicity, reliability, easy maintenance and servicing;
  • High capacity tender to provide extended range;
  • Low fuel and water consumption (see note below);
  • Conformance to latest safety regulations;
  • Good crew conditions;
  • Gas-oil fuel (similar to diesel) with an option for a coal fired version.

The 5AT's fuel and water ranges are calculated to be 925 km (570 miles) and 610 km (380 miles ) respectively under representative average service conditions, and 552 km (345 miles) and 367 km (230 miles) respectively at maximum drawbar power - i.e. at 1890 kW (2535 hp) and 113 km/h (70 mph). See Operating Range page.